The British government announced plans to roll out chemical castration for sex offenders in 20 prisons across two regions, according to AP News.
The plan is seen as part of a sweeping overhaul of sentencing and rehabilitation measures aimed at reducing reoffending and alleviating severe prison overcrowding. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the move during a parliamentary statement on 22 May 2025, citing studies showing a 60% reduction in reoffending rates among those undergoing the treatment.
Chemical castration, which uses medication to suppress libido, will initially be implemented on a voluntary basis, though Mahmood stated she is “exploring whether mandating the approach is possible.”
The treatment will accompany psychological interventions targeting non-sexual motivations for offending, such as power dynamics. Notably, the policy excludes offenders like rapists driven by control rather than sexual urges, acknowledging limitations highlighted in an independent review led by former Justice Secretary David Gauke.
The measure forms part of Gauke’s wider sentencing reforms, which also propose scrapping jail terms under 12 months (except for domestic abuse cases), deporting foreign nationals sentenced to three years or less, and expanding electronic tagging. Mahmood pledged £700 million annually to bolster probation services, warning that without investment, rehabilitation efforts would falter, risking public backlash.
The proposals ignited fierce debate. Conservative justice spokesman Robert Jenrick condemned the reforms as “decriminalising” offences like burglary and assault, likening electronic monitoring to “smoke alarms putting out bonfires.”
Meanwhile, Gauke defended the necessity of change, noting England and Wales’ prison population has doubled since 1995 to nearly 90,000 despite falling crime rates, driven by longer sentences and systemic overcrowding.
Internationally, chemical castration has been used voluntarily in Germany and Denmark and mandated in Poland. The UK’s approach mirrors these precedents but faces scrutiny over ethical concerns and efficacy. Critics argue it risks oversimplifying complex criminal behaviours, while advocates highlight its potential to curb recidivism when combined with therapy.
